Rigid mounting system for swing spouts

ABSTRACT

A rigid mounting system for swing spouts is provided. A faucet employing the rigid mounting system includes a swing spout and a support member. A first end of the support member is rigidly fixed to a base of the faucet or a mounting surface for the faucet. A second end of the support member is disposed within the swing spout. In one embodiment, the faucet includes an arm that is offset from the base. In this embodiment, the first end of the support member is rigidly fixed to the arm of the base.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to swing spouts and, more specifically, a rigid mounting system for swing spouts.

BACKGROUND

Swing spouts have become popular to use in both commercial and residential establishments. Swing spouts are now larger and taller than ever. Furthermore, the designs are more elaborate. As a result, swing spouts are often not stable and wobble within the bases or other surfaces within which they are mounted. This is particularly true of swing spouts that are mounted in offset portions of the bases.

SUMMARY

A rigid mounting system for swing spouts is provided. A faucet employing the rigid mounting system includes a swing spout and a support member. A first end of the support member is rigidly fixed to a base of the faucet or a mounting surface for the faucet. A second end of the support member is disposed within the swing spout. In one embodiment, the faucet includes an arm that is offset from the base. In this embodiment, the first end of the support member is rigidly fixed to the arm of the base.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, as well as embodiments and advantages thereof, is described below in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a faucet employing the rigid mounting system;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the faucet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the faucet of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a right side cross-sectional view of the faucet taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a faucet 10 employing the rigid mounting system of the present invention. The faucet 10 includes a base 12, a handle 14, a spout 16, and a mounting member 18. The base 12 of the faucet 10 sits atop a mounting surface, such as a kitchen sink or countertop, and is held in place using a securing device (not shown) that can be secured from beneath the mounting surface. A water supply line 20 projects downwardly from the base 12 and connects to a water supply. The faucet 10 usually has two water supply lines 20, one for hot water and one for cold water.

The water supply lines 20 fluidly connect to a valve body (not shown) located within the base 12 of the faucet 10. Hot and cold water are supplied to a mixing cartridge (not shown) located within the valve body. The mixing cartridge controls the temperature and flow rate of the water that is ultimately dispensed through the spout 16 by adjusting the amount of hot and cold water permitted to flow through the cartridge. The handle 14 is movable in relation to the base 12 and is attached to the cartridge so that a user, by moving the handle 14, manipulates the cartridge to get the desired temperature and flow rate. The spout 16 provides a waterway through which the water can flow.

In the embodiment of the faucet 10 illustrated in the figures, the base 12 has an arm 22 offset from the base 12. The spout 16 and the mounting member 18 are connected, either directly or indirectly, to the arm 22 of the base 12. Although the base 12 has been illustrated and described as having an arm 22 that is offset therefrom, the base 12 may not include the arm 22. In this case, the spout 16 and the mounting member 18 are connected to another portion of the base 12, instead of the arm 22. Furthermore, the faucet 10 may not include a base 12. In this case, the spout 16 and the mounting member 18 are connected to the mounting surface for the faucet 10, instead of the base 12.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the components of one embodiment of the faucet 10 are shown. The spout 16 has a first end 24. The arm 22 has an opening 26 having a spout support connection surface 28 and a mounting member connection surface 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the spout support connection surface 28 and the mounting member connection surface 30 are threaded surfaces. However, these connection surfaces may employ different types of connections, including, for example, adhesive, brazed, soldered, and welded.

The faucet 10 includes a spout support 32 that provides stability to the spout 16. In the embodiment of the faucet 10 illustrated in the figures, the spout support 32 is in the shape of a generally cylindrical tube. However, the spout support 32 could be in any number of shapes. Moreover, the spout support 32 may be made from any number of relatively rigid materials, including, for example, metals (e.g., brass) and plastics. The size of the spout support 32 may vary. The length of the spout support 32 is generally greater than the diameter of the spout support 32. The ratio of the length of the spout support 32 to the diameter of the spout support 32 is referred to as the L/D ratio. The L/D ratio of the spout support 32 may vary. For example, the L/D ratio may be greater than 2 or fall within a range of 3-7. However, any L/D ratio that provides stability to the spout 16 may be used.

The spout support 32 comprises a first end 34 and a second end 36. The first end 34 of the spout support 32 is externally threaded to mate with the threads of the spout support connection surface 28 of the arm 22 of the base 12. If the spout support connection surface 28 is not threaded, but instead uses a different type of connection surface, the first end 34 of the spout support 32 is provided with a corresponding type of connection surface. When the first end 34 of the spout support 32 is connected to the spout support connection surface 28, the spout support 32 is rigidly fixed to the base 12. Sealing devices may be disposed on or between either or both of the first end 34 of the spout support 32 and the spout support connection surface 28. Additionally, the spout support 32 may be permanently fixed to the base 12 by adding an appropriate adhesive or other type of fixation material.

The spout support 32 also has two grooves 38 on an outer surface 39 thereof to hold two corresponding sealing members 40. The sealing members 40, as shown in FIG. 2, are O-rings. However, other types of sealing members may be used. Similarly, the sealing members 40 do not have to be disposed in grooves 38 in the spout support 32, but may be disposed directly on the outer surface 39 of the spout support 32. The sealing members 40 provide a fluid seal between the outer surface 39 of the spout support 32 and an inner surface 42 (see FIG. 4) of the spout 16.

The faucet 10 also includes a retaining member 44 and a bearing member 46. The retaining member 44 retains the mounting member 18 on the first end 24 of the spout 16 during assembly and, in combination with the mounting member 18, retains the spout 16 in the arm 22 of the base 12 after assembly. An upper end 45 of the retaining member 44 is disposed in a groove 48 on the first end 24 of the spout 16. A slit 49 through the retaining member 44 allows the retaining member 44 to be temporarily expanded in order to dispose the upper end 45 of the retaining member 44 in the groove 48. A lower end 47 of the retaining member 44 is disposed between the mounting member 18 and the arm 22 of the base 12. The bearing member 46 permits the spout 16 to more freely swing relative to the mounting member 18. The bearing member 46 is disposed between the mounting member 18 and the first end 24 of the spout 16.

To assemble the spout 16 as illustrated in the figures, the bearing member 46 is placed over the first end 24 of the spout 16. Then, the mounting member 18 is placed over the bearing member 46 on the first end 24 of the spout 16. The retaining member 44 is then placed over the first end 24 of the spout 16 and the upper end 45 of the retaining member 44 is disposed in the groove 48 on the first end 24 of the spout 16.

To assemble the spout 16 within the faucet 10 as illustrated in the figures, the first end 34 of the spout support 32 is connected (e.g., via mating threads) to the spout support connection surface 28 of the arm 22 of the base 12. Next, the first end 24 of the spout 16 is placed over the spout support 32 and in the opening 26 of the arm 22 of the base 12. The mounting member 18 is then connected (e.g., via mating threads) to the mounting member connection surface 30 of the arm 22 of the base 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the operation of the faucet 10 will be described. As discussed above, hot and cold water enter the valve body in the base 12 from water supply lines 20. The hot and cold water move through designated channels in the valve body and into the mixing cartridge located within the valve body. Depending on the position of the handle 14, certain amounts of hot and cold water are mixed and output through the valve body. The mixed water then travels through a waterway 50 in the arm 22 of the base 12 to the opening 26 of the arm 22. The mixed water then travels up through the spout support 32, into the spout 16, and finally out of a second end 52 of the spout 16.

The above description of some of the embodiments of the present invention has been given by way of example. From the disclosure given, those skilled in the art will not only understand the present invention and its attendant advantages, but will also find apparent various changes and modifications to the structures and methods disclosed. It is sought, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims, and equivalents thereof. 

1. A faucet comprising: a base having an arm offset from the base; a spout movably connected to the arm; and a support member having a first end and a second end; the first end being rigidly connected to the arm and the second end being disposed within the spout. 